Construction projects require careful attention to detail, not just when it comes to measurements but also materials. Contractors must consider a multitude of factors when they decide which building materials to use. Very often, they decide on aluminum. Read on to find out about five of the reasons that this metal is so widely used in construction.
1. Lighter Weight Than Steel
An Aluminum Sheet weighs just 2.71 g/cm3, making this material one of the lightest metals. The weight of aluminum is around one-third that of steel, which makes this lightweight metal easy to work with and affordable to transport.
Although aluminum is lightweight, that shouldn’t be interpreted as meaning it’s flimsy. Aluminum is plenty strong, and the metal’s strength can be further adapted through the use of alloys. Even when combined with other elements, metal remains lightweight and easy to work with.
2. Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum is also known as a corrosion-resistant metal thanks to the thin protective coating it forms after coming into contact with any kind of oxidizing environment. Aluminum can also be painted or anodized to further improve its corrosion resistance, although these extra steps aren’t generally necessary. The protective layer of aluminum oxide that forms naturally is sufficient to protect the metal in most cases, even in buildings found near oceans where salt in the air would cause the premature degradation of other metals.
3. Thermal and Electrical Conductivity
Aluminum is a good conductor of both heat and electricity. While it isn’t as effective at this job as more commonly used conductive materials like copper, it weighs significantly less. As a result, aluminum wiring can have the same amount of electrical resistance as copper at just half the weight. While aluminum wiring is rare in modern buildings, it’s the material of choice for power transmission lines.
Because aluminum also offers good thermal conductivity, the material can also be used as a heatsink. This application is more common in homes and businesses, where electrical products such as LED lighting fixtures often feature aluminum components to draw excess heat away from the electrical components.
4. Good Reflectivity
Like many metals, aluminum is reflective. This trait is part of why it’s found in light fixtures, where it reflects both light and heat. Contractors can also take advantage of this benefit in other contexts, though, since sheet metal can also be finished to maximize reflectivity.
5. 100% Recyclability
Unlike most materials that claim to be recyclable, aluminum retails all of its original properties during the recycling process. Because it’s 100% recyclable, aluminum is more cost-effective than most materials. After all, recycling aluminum takes just 5% of the energy required to mine and refine aluminum ore.
The fact that aluminum can be recycled a virtually infinite number of times, it’s also better for the environment than most metals. Around three-quarters of all the aluminum ever manufactured remains in use today instead of sitting in landfills, and less metal ore needs to be extracted to keep the construction, automotive, and packaging industries supplied.
Choose Aluminum
Contractors who aren’t sure what material to choose for cladding, window frames, safety ramps, light fixtures, or other building components would do well to consider aluminum. This versatile material comes with all sorts of benefits and very few setbacks. Just be sure to purchase aluminum sheets, plates, and other components from a reliable manufacturer that offers high-grade metal products.
